Benjamin atkins



(No Model.) B. ATKINS. FINGER SUPPORTING AND EXEROISING DEVICE. No. 248,980. Patented Nov. 1,1881.

UNITED j STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN A'lKlNS, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO LOUIS E. LEVASSOR,

, OF SAME PLACE.

FINGER SUPPORTING AND EXERCISING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 248,980, dated November 1, 1881.

Application filed May 27, 1881. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern- Be it known that I, BENJAMIN A'rictss, of Cincinnati,in the countyofHamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful De- 'viceforSupportingand Exercisingt'he Fingers ofPlayers on Key-Board Instruments, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a device which will assist the pupil or student in his or her efforts to hold the fingers in correct position according to the American or improved system of instruction, in which the hand and fingers are held horizontally as far as the second joint..

My improvement consists in an instrument capable of ready attachment to the hand, (not to the wrist as in bracing and strengthening devices heretofore constructed,) said inst-rumenthaving suspended from as many springs overhanging the lingers five rings, which, re-

ceiving the wearers fingers, opposea resistance to the muscular action in the act of playing, so as to compel theuser to put forth unwonted strength with the result of imparting a su'perior decision of touch with greater flexibility 2 and rapidity of motion, while the fingers as far as the second joint are supported from above in horizontal position.

In order that my invention may be fully undcrstood,Iwill proceed to describe itwith refer- 0 once to the aecompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 shows that form of my device which is used upon the right hand, the instrument being shown secured toa hand of the user. Fig. 2 shows the same instrument detached.

A is an elastic or spring clamp, adapted to embrace the fieshypart of the hand, and adjusted thereto by a tightening-screw, B.

O and D are padded projections which respectively press against the back and palm of the hand.

Secured to the upper side or top of clampA by suitable set-screws, F I" F F F, worlc 'ing through a plate, A, are five steel springs, E E EE E", carrying at their free extrem- 5 ities wire suspenders G G G G G", from the lower ends of which depend loops or rings H H H 11' H", of which one receives the thumb and the others receive the fingers of the performer. The sp'ri n gs are so constructed as to overhang and not come in contact with the 0 lingers, which can therefore work vertically and freely beneath them.

For the left hand my dericedillers from the above only in the reversal of the parts from right to left.

The above-described preferred form oi my improvement may be varied in non-essential particulars. For example, the springs may be curved down snlliciently for direct attachment of the rings without the interposition of sns- 6o pending-wires.

i am aware that an instrumenthas been devised for attachment to the frame of a piano which consists of a series of springs terminating in finger-loops, but am not aware that such have ever been adopted in practical use. Such a device is manifestly objectionable by reason of its bulkiness and the necessity of providing means for attachment to the piano, and is otherwise impracticable and useless because inapplicable for obvious reasons for use with many musical compositions thatcxtend through several octaves, and sometimes with crossed hands.

I am also aware that certain devices have been secured to the wrist. In one instance a branched plate secured to the wrist and second and fourth fingers is employed. On this frame is mounted, in suitable bearings, a coilspring terminating in a lever which has hinged to its outer end a loop for elevating the third finger. In the other instance a gauntlet is secured to the wrist. This gauntlet is provided with an elaborate arrangement of thongs, springs, cots, tubes, and cords fitting closely to the hand and fingers above and beneath. Such devices I .do not claim, as they are not adapted to my purpose because they are attached to the wrist and bind the hand wholly or in part. Both constrict the vessels of the 0 wrist and are impracticable. In my device all the fingers are supported from overhanging springs extending from a clamp attached to the hand in contradistinction to the wrist, the circulation of the blood not being obstructed 5 when applied in this position. The bearing of the instrument being on the fieshypart (palm) of the hand,it does not interfere with the movement of the hand, wrist, and fingers, and is therefore capable of use whenplaying any musical exercise. Nor does it interfere in the slightest degree with the proper position of the hand, the fingers being supported in line with the hand as far as their secondjoints, as before stated. The rings are placed to the rear of the second joint.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The improved finger-support for players on key-board instrumen ts, consistingofa clamp for the hand, means of adjustment thereto, springs extending from said clam p to and overhanging the fingers, and loops or rings for application to the fingers, all arranged to sustain the fingers in the position as shown and described.

2. The combination ofclamp A,hn\'ingtightening-screwB,springsoverhangingthe fingers, plate A, and screws F forsecuring said springs to said clamp, and loops II for receiving the fingers, as set forth.

3. The device herein described for supporting the fingers of'players on musical instruments, consisting of clamp A, adapted to be applied to the hand, padded projections C and D,for the back and palm of the haud,respeetively, a tightening-screw B, springs E E E" EE", extending from the said clamp and overhanging the fingers, and the loops or rings G G G G G", suspended from said springs, as set forth.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

BENJAMIN ATKINS.

Attest:

G120. H. KNIGHT,

SA-ML. S. CARPENTER. 

